Ratchet buckle with c-shape bar

ABSTRACT

The tie-down provides an adjustable strap under control of a ratchet during retraction and pay-out. The tie-down is provided with a strap issuing rearward from a transverse bar between base sides, the bar being an integral part of the base, three sides having been rolled up from the base bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward. A forward strap issues forward from the tie-down secured to a spindle to which ratchet wheels attach. The forward strap wraps the spindle during tie-down strap retraction.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to tie-downs, as may be used to secure a load toa vehicle.

2. Prior Art

It is known to have a tie down assembly that secures a load to avehicle. Typical is that tie-down assembly disclosed by Anthony et al.in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,706 in which Anthony et al. describes an assemblysecured directly to a chassis with a strap issuing therefrom forconnection around or to a load. The strap is wrapped around a spool andunwound on release to pay out as necessary. When the strap is securedabout the load, the strap is released and it automatically retractsaround the spool. The strapping apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,767 isalso known. Other prior art references are also known, these referencesbeing only typical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ratchet-based tie-down of the present invention features a spindleas a ratchet spool without a retraction spring. In a pay outconfiguration, a forward directed strap simply unwinds from the spoolunder user pulling action, without spring bias to rewind. A rearwarddirected strap extends from the tie-down without length adjustment toassure against slippage in length of the rearward directed strap.Without a retraction spring; when the spindle not connected to anchorpoints under strap tension, the spindle remains in payout unless anduntil it is positively rewound by a user onto the spindle.

A forward hold on the base holds a ratchet crank out of engagement witha ratchet wheel, allowing the spindle to rotate freely. A rearward holdon the base holds the crank in a locked position in which the crankcaptures a locking plate when the locking plate is engaged with theteeth of the ratchet wheel, preventing the ratchet wheel from rotating,thus holding straps of the tie-down taut to forward and rearward anchorpoints to which they may be attached, respectively.

As in ratchet based tie-downs of the prior art, a ratchet spool, orinstead in this instant configuration, a spindle without a retractionspring, extends between sides of a tie-down base. Particular to thisinstant configuration, the spindle comprises two semi-cylindrical halveswith opposing diametric surfaces slightly spaced apart. Ends of each ofthe halves extend through matching holes on each side of the ratchetwheels therein providing a heavy-duty link between the wheels and thecrank. The spindle halves continue through the crank sides and throughmatching holes in base sides, thus connecting the base sides and cranksides rotationally about the spindle.

The tie-down is configurable between a pay-out mode or configuration anda retraction, or ratchet, configuration. With the tie-down assembly inpay-out mode the user simply pulls the strap out without a counter biasfrom a retraction spring as it unwinds from a spindle, or spool.

The strap is tightened to a load when the tie-down is moved to itsretraction mode. Reconfiguration between modes requires positive actionby the user so there is no inadvertent switch between operation modes.In retract mode, a crank is repeatedly lifted and lowered in effecting aratcheting of the spindle rotation in strap retraction. A ratchet plateengages teeth of a ratchet wheel attached to the spindle to secure thespool from releasing when the crank is lowered in normal ratchetingretraction operation to engage a new pair of ratchet teeth on theratchet wheels.

A lock plate engages the ratchet wheel teeth to lock against rotation ofthe ratchet wheel, taking the ratchet wheel out of ratcheting operation.To return the ratchet wheel to ratchet operation, the crank is liftedforward into operation position which releases the lock plate fromratchet teeth. A cam on the crank also moves the lock plate away fromthe ratchet wheel as the crank is moved forward allowing the ratchetwheel to freely rotate through the ratcheting mechanism.

The tie-down is changed from ratchet mode to pay-out mode by moving thecrank forward over a forward hold that is beyond a normal ratchetingrange of motion locking the crank forward as the ratchet plate and thelock plate are both withdrawn from the ratchet wheel allowing it torotate freely. Thus, in pay-out mode the strap is pulled by the userwithout restriction.

A further feature of the invention incorporates the rearward strapattached rearward on the base on a base buckle that includes a “Cshaped” bar transverse the tie-down between base sides. This is a designfeature that is an improvement over a bolt and nut typical of the priorart in that its C shaped structure provides an enhanced strength andflexural resistance much improved over a bolt and nut configurationwhere the strap passes over a nut transversely attached to base sides bynuts. The bar is formed by stamping three sides of a generallyrectangular shape out of the base bottom and further includingattachment ears on cut corners that connect to the base sides. The threesided rectangular is then rolled from the base bottom back toward theuncut rectangular side forming the C shaped opening rearward with theears secured into matching holes in the base sides. This rear strap barstructure then improves the tie down structure by simplifying the designand configuration and inherently reduces failure of the tie down frombreakage of parts as parts are eliminated, which also helps reduceconstruction cost. It also provides an increase in strength by the rearstrap bar being unitary with the base bottom.

BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tie down of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the tie down of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the tie down of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the tie down of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of the tie down of FIG. 2

FIG. 6 is a side section view of the base of FIG. 2 showing theconnection of the rearward strap to the base.

FIG. 7 is a top planar view of the base of the present invention priorto it being stamped and folded.

FIG. 8 is a cut-away perspective view of the rear strap bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The tie down 1 of the present invention comprises a base 10 and a crank30 mutually pivoting at a spindle 40 by a ratchet action.

The base 10 includes opposing base sides 11 upstanding from a basebottom 12, each side 11 having a base spindle hole 13 for receiving thespindle 40 that rotates coaxially within the base spindle holes 13between the base sides 11. The crank 30 includes crank sides 31 spacedapart by a spacer 32 that extends intermediate the length of each of thecrank sides 31 between the crank sides 31. Crank sides 31 partiallyoverlap the base sides 11 outside the base sides 11 as the base sides 11and the crank sides 31 mutually pivot at the spindle. A crank handle 32extends between crank sides 31 rearward in the crank 30. The crank 30also has a pair of crank holes 33 on respective crank sides 31 alignedwith the base holes 13 such that the spindle 40 passes rotatably throughthe aligned holes 13, 33. A ratchet wheel 50 is located betweenrespective base 11 and crank sides 31 align coaxially with the spindle40 and aligned base spindle and crank holes 13, 33 and orthogonal to thebase and crank sides 11, 31.

The spindle 40 is forward in the tie-down and comprises two halfspindles 41 a, 41 b disposed with opposing diametric faces 42 spacedapart. Ends 43 of each half spindle 41 a, 41 b fit into matching semicircular holes 51 in the respective ratchet wheels 50 with each semicircular hole 51 receiving a half spindle end 43 such that as the crank30 rotates the ratchet wheels 50, the spindle 40 also rotates. The halfspindles 41 a, 41 b are held in place in the semi-circular holes 51 bypins 44 passing through pin holes 45 in ends 46 of the half spindles 41a, 41 b. A forward strap 60 wraps around the spindle 40, for examplewith a forward strap end 61 passing between the half spindles 41 a, 41 bto bind the forward strap 60 to the spindle 40 such that as the crank 30rotates the forward strap 60 further wraps or unwraps the spindle 40.

The tie-down functions in the normal manner of a ratchet to controllablyrotate the spindle. 1n implementing the ratchet 70, each crank side 31has a crank through side slot 34 angled radial to the spindle 40. Aratchet plate 71 extends between the crank sides 31 (and over the basesides 11) disposed to engage both ratchet wheels 50 at respective cranksides 31. The ratchet plate 71 is withdrawn from engagement with ratchetteeth 72 by a user's pull of a ratchet release 73 that is connected tothe ratchet plate 71. Typically, the ratchet release 73 and the ratchetplate 71 are a single piece with opposite ends defining the ratchetplate 71 and the ratchet release 73. Ends of the ratchet plate 71 fitslidably in a radial direction with respective to the spindle 40 inrespectively crank side slots 34, into and out of engagement with theratchet teeth 72. The ratchet plate 71 is disposed to be pulled radiallyoutward by action of the ratchet release 73 or released radially inwardunder bias of a first spring 75. Thus, sliding the ratchet plate 71inward through the crank side slots 34 causes the ratchet plate 71 toengage the ratchet teeth 72. Similarly, sliding the ratchet plate 71outward through the crank side slots 34 causes the ratchet plate 71 todisengage from the ratchet teeth 72, therein allowing the crank torotate with the ratchet plate 71 outside of the ratchet teeth 72.

With the crank 30 rotated rearward generally, the ratchet plate 71 maybe pulled further outward, also radially, and lifted over a rearwardhold 15 that is on an upper edge 16 of each respective base side 11 to arotational position 17 behind the rearward hold 15 on the edge 16 of thebase side 11 therein preventing the crank 30 from rotating until thecrank side 31 is lifted back over the rearward hold 15 to rest on theedge 16 of the base side 11 forward of the rearward hold 15.

To effect a ratchet wheel lock, a lock plate 80 is provided in the base10, extending between base sides 11 and passing through base slots 17.As with the crank slots, the base slots 15 are directed radially to thespindle 40 and ratchet wheels 50 below the crank 30. As the crank 30 isrotated rearward with the ratchet plate 71 rearward of the rearward hold15, a notch 36 in the respective crank sides 31 engage the lock plate 80in the lock plate lock position 81, that is, with the lock plate 80engaging the ratchet teeth 72, thus preventing the lock plate 80 frommoving rearward out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 72. In the lockposition 81, the ratchet wheels 50 and thus the spindle 40 are preventedfrom rotating. The lock plate 80 is released by lifting the crank 40such that the notch 36 does not engage the lock plate 80. A lock spring82 continues to bias the lock plate 80 into engagement with the ratchetteeth 72. As the crank 30 is further lifted and the ratchet release 73is pulled backward as the crank 30 is rotated forward to a forward side18 of the rearward hold 15, a cam 19 forward on the crank respectivesides 31 engages the lock plate 80 and moves the lock plate 80 rearwardout of engagement with the ratchet teeth 72. The cam 19 continues tomove the lock plate 80 away from the ratchet teeth 72 as long as theratchet plate 71 is forward of the rearward hold 15. In the reversecrank motion, the cam 19 releases from engagement with the lock plate 80allowing the lock plate 80 under spring bias to engage the ratchet teeth72 as the lock plate 80 is received into the notch 36. The notch 36 isprevented from engaging the lock plate 71 except when the crank 30 islowered rearward of the rearward hold 15.

With the ratchet 70 thus enabled, as the crank 30 is lowered, theratchet plate 71 continually slides over the ratchet teeth 72 from onepair of teeth 72 a on respective ratchet wheels 50 to a subsequent pairof teeth 72 b. When the crank motion is reversed the ratchet plate 71engages the ratchet teeth 72 and rotates the ratchet wheels 50 as thecrank 30 is moved forward relative to the base 10 in the normal methodof ratcheting.

A forward hold 20 is located forward on respective base side edges 16.The ratchet plate 71 may be pulled by the ratchet release 73 radiallyaway from the ratchet teeth 72 and over the forward hold 20 on each baseside 11 into engagement with a forward notch 21 on the forward side 22of the forward hold 20 radially outward from the ratchet teeth 72 thuspreventing the ratchet plate 71 from engaging the ratchet teeth 72. Withthe crank 30 forward, the cam 19 continues to maintain the ratchet plate71 and the lock plate 80 disengaged from the ratchet teeth 72. Thus, thespindle can rotate freely, normally unwinding.

To effect a tie-down tightening action, as noted above the forward strap60 is secured around the spindle, the forward strap 60 extendingforward. Further, a rearward strap 62 is secured to the tie-down,extending rearward. As the spindle 40 is rotated as described above theeffective combined strap length is extended or shortened, which combinedstrap comprises the forward and rearward straps 60, 63 joined by thetie-down therebetween.

A rear strap bar 90 is cut out of the base bottom 12 by three sidedstamping. The bar 90 is then rolled from the base bottom 12 leaving ahole 95. The bar 90 is rolled upward from the base bottom 12 about auncut fourth side 94 that remains integral with the base 12. The barincludes ears 91 on each bar end 92 that fit into bar receiving holes 93in the base sides 11 that are of size to receive the ears 91 as basesides 11 are bent upward from the base bottom 12 on each base side 11which provides attachment of the bar 90 to the base bottom 12. With theears in the rear strap bar 90 received into bar receiving holes 93, therear strap bar 90 is prevented from moving further rearward past the barreceiving holes 93 under pull of the rear strap 96 under load. The rearstrap 96 secures to the rear strap bar 90 by entering around the rearstrap bar 90 through a hole 95 in the base bottom 12 and then wrappingaround the rear strap bar 90 and back upon the rear strap 96 to which itis affixed therein securing the rear strap against slippage in lengthunder load in its securement to the rear strap bar 90.

and secures the rear strap 96 against slippage in length in itssecurement to the rear strap bar 90.

In summary, then the invention disclosed herein comprises

A tie down including a base and a crank mutually pivoting at a spindleby a ratchet action, the base including opposing base sides upstandingfrom a base bottom, each base side including a ring and having a basespindle hole in each ring for receiving the spindle, which spindlerotates within the base spindle holes between the base sides, the crankincluding crank sides spaced apart and further including a crank handleextending between crank sides, the crank having a pair of crank holes onrespective crank sides that are aligned with the base holes togetherwith ratchet wheels with ratchet teeth at each spindle end such that thespindle passes rotatably through the aligned crank and base holes, thetie down adapted to receive a forward strap in attachment to the spindleto extend forward from the tie down and adapted to receive a rearwardstrap in attachment to the base to extend rearward from the tie downsuch that as the crank is rotated forward with the base and crankpivoting apart in cooperation with the ratchet action, the effectivelength of the combined forward and rearward straps is reduced, theimprovement comprising:

-   -   a rearward lug rearward on and projecting outward from said        curvilinear outer edge,    -   a ratchet plate slidable in respective crank side slots directed        toward the ratchet wheel, the ratchet plate extending between        the crank sides and including a ratchet plate leg portion        disposed to releasably engage and disengage from teeth of the        ratchet wheels, the ratchet plate leg portion movable between a        ratchet condition forward of the lug and a lock condition        rearward of the lug, wherein the ratchet plate moves generally        along the outer edge during said ratchet action with the ratchet        plate in said ratchet condition wherein movement of the ratchet        plate between said ratchet and lock conditions is effected by        lifting said ratchet plate leg portion over said rearward lug        and wherein the crank is prevented from rotating when said        ratchet plate is in lock condition,    -   a lock plate slidable in respective base side slots directed        toward teeth of the ratchet wheel, the lock plate extending        between the crank sides and including a lock plate leg portion        disposed to releasably engage teeth of the ratchet wheels,        preventing the ratchet wheel from rotating rearward as the        ratchet plate disengages from said teeth and said crank and        ratchet plate rotate rearward with the base and crank pivoting        together in said ratchet action,    -   wherein at least one of said crank sides has a notch such that        with the lock plate in engagement with the teeth, as the crank        with ratchet plate lowers into said lock position, the lock        plate is received into said notch, preventing the lock plate        from disengaging from the teeth and thus the ratchet wheel from        rotating.    -   a forward lug forward on and projecting outward from said        curvilinear outer edge,    -   a cam on the crank sides moving the lock plate out of engagement        with the ratchet teeth when the rotating plate in the crank is        rotated over and forward of the forward lug from said ratchet        condition to a forward position wherein the ratchet plate is        supported out of engagement with the said teeth and wherein        movement of the ratchet plate between said ratchet condition and        said forward position is effected by lifting said ratchet plate        leg portion over said forward lug, wherein with the crank with        ratchet plate in forward position the spindle can rotate freely        with the ratchet plate and the lock plate out of engagement with        the teeth the ratchet wheel,    -   a rear strap bar attached between the base sides, the rear strap        bar being unitary with the base bottom being bent therefrom on a        strap bar side that remains integral with the base,    -   wherein the rear strap bar comprises an ear on each rear strap        bar side that fits into a rear strap bar receiving hole in each        base side, the respective rear strap bar receiving holes being        of size to receive the respective ears therein preventing the        rear strap bar from moving rearward past the bar receiving holes        under pull of the rear strap under load,    -   wherein the rear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap        in securement thereto by the rear strap entering through a hole        in the base bottom and then wrapping around the rear strap bar        and back upon the rear strap to which it is affixed therein        securing the rear strap against slippage in length under load in        its securement to the rear bar,    -   wherein the rear strap bar is formed with three sides of the        rear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base        bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down,        wherein the rear strap bar is formed with three sides of the        rear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base        bottom into a C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down, and    -   wherein said hole in the base bottom is formed as the rear strap        bar is cut and bent out of the base bottom.

1. A tie down including a base and a crank mutually pivoting at aspindle by a ratchet action, the base including opposing base sidesupstanding from a base bottom, each base side including a ring andhaving a base spindle hole in each ring for receiving the spindle, whichspindle rotates within the base spindle holes between the base sides,the crank including crank sides spaced apart and further including acrank handle extending between crank sides, the crank having a pair ofcrank holes on respective crank sides that are aligned with the baseholes together with ratchet wheels with ratchet teeth at each spindleend such that the spindle passes rotatably through the aligned crank andbase holes, the tie down adapted to receive a forward strap inattachment to the spindle to extend forward from the tie down andadapted to receive a rearward strap in attachment to the base to extendrearward from the tie down such that as the crank is rotated forwardwith the base and crank pivoting apart in cooperation with the ratchetaction, the effective length of the combined forward and rearward strapsis reduced, the improvement comprising: a rearward lug rearward on andprojecting outward from said curvilinear outer edge, a ratchet plateslidable in respective crank side slots directed toward the ratchetwheel, the ratchet plate extending between the crank sides and includinga ratchet plate leg portion disposed to releasably engage and disengagefrom teeth of the ratchet wheels, the ratchet plate leg portion movablebetween a ratchet condition forward of the lug and a lock conditionrearward of the lug, wherein the ratchet plate moves generally along theouter edge during said ratchet action with the ratchet plate in saidratchet condition wherein movement of the ratchet plate between saidratchet and lock conditions is effected by lifting said ratchet plateleg portion over said rearward lug and wherein the crank is preventedfrom rotating when said ratchet plate is in lock condition, a lock plateslidable in respective base side slots directed toward teeth of theratchet wheel, the lock plate extending between the crank sides andincluding a lock plate leg portion disposed to releasably engage teethof the ratchet wheels, preventing the ratchet wheel from rotatingrearward as the ratchet plate disengages from said teeth and said crankand ratchet plate rotate rearward with the base and crank pivotingtogether in said ratchet action, wherein at least one of said cranksides has a notch such that with the lock plate in engagement with theteeth, as the crank with ratchet plate lowers into said lock position,the lock plate is received into said notch, preventing the lock platefrom disengaging from the teeth and thus the ratchet wheel fromrotating. a forward lug forward on and projecting outward from saidcurvilinear outer edge, a cam on the crank sides moving the lock plateout of engagement with the ratchet teeth when the rotating plate in thecrank is rotated over and forward of the forward lug from said ratchetcondition to a forward position wherein the ratchet plate is supportedout of engagement with the said teeth and wherein movement of theratchet plate between said ratchet condition and said forward positionis effected by lifting said ratchet plate leg portion over said forwardlug, wherein with the crank with ratchet plate in forward position thespindle can rotate freely with the ratchet plate and the lock plate outof engagement with the teeth the ratchet wheel, a rear strap barattached between the base sides, the rear strap bar being unitary withthe base bottom being bent therefrom on a strap bar side that remainsintegral with the base.
 2. The tie down of claim 1 wherein the barcomprises ears on each bar side that fit into bar receiving holes sizedto receive the ears.
 3. The tie down of claim 1 wherein the rear strapbar comprises an ear on each rear strap bar side that fits into a rearstrap bar receiving hole in each base side, the respective rear strapbar receiving holes being of size to receive the respective ears thereinpreventing the rear strap bar from moving rearward past the barreceiving holes under pull of the rear strap under load, wherein therear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap in securementthereto by the rear strap entering through a hole in the base bottom andthen wrapping around the rear strap bar and back upon the rear strap towhich it is affixed therein securing the rear strap against slippage inlength under load in its securement to the rear bar.
 4. The tie down ofclaim 3 wherein the rear strap bar is formed with three sides of therear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base bottom into aC-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down.
 5. The tie down of claim1 wherein the rear strap bar is formed with three sides of the rearstrap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base bottom into aC-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down.
 6. A tie down including abase and a crank mutually pivoting at a spindle by a ratchet action, thebase including opposing base sides upstanding from a base bottom, eachbase side including a ring and having a base spindle hole in each ringfor receiving the spindle, which spindle rotates within the base spindleholes between the base sides, the crank including crank sides spacedapart and further including a crank handle extending between cranksides, the crank having a pair of crank holes on respective crank sidesthat are aligned with the base holes together with ratchet wheels withratchet teeth at each spindle end such that the spindle passes rotatablythrough the aligned crank and base holes, the tie down adapted toreceive a forward strap in attachment to the spindle to extend forwardfrom the tie down and adapted to receive a rearward strap in attachmentto the base to extend rearward from the tie down such that as the crankis rotated forward with the base and crank pivoting apart in cooperationwith the ratchet action, the effective length of the combined forwardand rearward straps is reduced, the improvement comprising a rear strapbar attached between the base sides, the rear strap bar being unitarywith the base bottom being bent therefrom on a strap bar side thatremains integral with the base.
 7. The tie down of claim 6 wherein therear strap bar is formed with three sides of the rear strap bar havingbeen cut and rolled up from the base bottom into a C-shaped bar openingrearward of the tie down.
 8. The tie down of claim 6 wherein the rearstrap bar comprises ears on each rear strap bar side that fit into rearstrap bar receiving holes sized to receive the ears therein preventingthe rear strap bar from moving rearward past the bar receiving holesunder pull of the rear strap under load.
 9. The tie down of claim 6wherein the rear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap insecurement thereto by the rear strap entering through a hole in the basebottom and then wrapping around the rear strap bar and back upon therear strap to which it is affixed therein securing the rear strapagainst slippage in length under load in its securement to the rear bar.10. The tie down of claim 6 wherein the rear strap bar comprises an earon each rear strap bar side that fits into a rear strap bar receivinghole in each base side, the respective rear strap bar receiving holesbeing of size to receive the respective ears therein preventing the rearstrap bar from moving rearward past the bar receiving holes under pullof the rear strap under load, wherein the rear strap bar is adapted toreceive the rear strap in securement thereto by the rear strap enteringthrough a hole in the base bottom and then wrapping around the rearstrap bar and back upon the rear strap to which it is affixed thereinsecuring the rear strap against slippage in length under load in itssecurement to the rear bar.
 11. The tie down of claim 6 wherein saidhole in the base bottom is formed as the rear strap bar is cut and bentout of the base bottom.
 12. A tie down including a base and a crankmutually pivoting at a spindle by a ratchet action, the base includingopposing base sides upstanding from a base bottom, the tie down adaptedto receive a forward strap in attachment to the spindle to extendforward from the tie down and adapted to receive a rearward strap inattachment to the base to extend rearward from the tie down such that asthe crank is rotated forward with the base and crank pivoting apart incooperation with the ratchet action, the effective length of thecombined forward and rearward straps is reduced, the improvementcomprising a rear strap bar attached between the base sides, the rearstrap bar being unitary with the base bottom with three sides of therear strap bar having been cut and rolled up from the base bottom into aC-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down having been bent therefromon a strap bar side that remains integral with the base bottom whereinthe rear strap bar includes an ear on each rear strap bar side that fitsinto a rear strap bar receiving hole in each base side, the respectiverear strap bar receiving holes being of size to receive the respectiveears therein preventing the rear strap bar from moving rearward past thebar receiving holes under pull of the rear strap under load, wherein therear strap bar is adapted to receive the rear strap in securementthereto by entering through a hole in the base bottom and then wrappingaround the rear strap bar and back upon the rear strap to which it isaffixed therein securing the rear strap against slippage in length underload in its securement to the rear bar, which hole in the base bottom isformed as the rear strap bar is cut and bent out of the base bottom intoa C-shaped bar opening rearward of the tie down.